Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H
Teams: ARGENTINA (7), GREECE (13), NIGERIA (21), SOUTH KOREA (47)
Argentina are expected to win this group without much trouble. Greece and Nigeria are likely to fight for second place. Though South Korea will always try hard, few experts outside Korea are giving them much chance to go through. Nigeria will probably enjoy playing in Africa and create a flutter in this group.
Previous World Cups: 1930 – runners’ up, 1934 – R1, 1958 – R1, 1962 – R1, 1966 – QF, 1974 – QF, 1978 (hosts) – Winners, 1982 – PQF, 1986 – Winners, 1990 – runners’ up, 1994 – PQF, 1998 – QF, 2002 – R1, 2006 – QF.
2010 – qualified on Oct-14, 2009; 22nd team to qualify.
Head Coach: Diego MARADONA (ARG – age 49)
01. Diego POZO (G – age 32) Colon (ARG)
02. Martin DEMICHELIS (D – age 29) Bayern Munich (GER)
03. Clemente RODRIGUEZ (D – age 28) Estudiantes (ARG)
04. Nicolas BURDISSO (D – age 29) Roma (ITA) (06)
05. Mario BOLATTI (M – age 25) Fiorentina (ITA)
06. Gabriel HEINZE (D – age 32) Marseille (FRA) (06)
07. Angel DI MARIA (M – age 22) Benfica (POR)
08. Juan Sebastian VERON (M – age 35) Estudiantes (ARG) (98) (02)
09. Gonzalo HIGUAIN (F – age 22) Real Madrid (ESP)
10. Lionel MESSI (F – age 23) Barcelona (ESP) (06)
11. Carlos TEVEZ (F – age 26) Manchester City (ENG) (06)
12. Ariel GARCE (D – age 30) Colon (ARG)
13. Walter SAMUEL (D – age 32) Inter Milan (ITA) (02)
14. Javier MASCHERANO (M – age 25) Liverpool (ENG) (C) (06)
15. Nicolas OTAMENDI (D – age 22) Velez Sarsfield (ARG)
16. Sergio AGUERO (F – age 22) Atletico Madrid (ESP)
17. Jonas GUTIERREZ (M – age 26) Newcastle United (ENG)
18. Martin PALERMO(F – age 36) Boca Juniors (ARG)
19. Diego MILITO (F – age 31) Inter Milan (ITA)
20. Maxi RODRIGUEZ (M – age 29) Liverpool (ENG) (06)
21. Mariano ANDUJAR (G – age 26) Catania (ITA)
22. Sergio ROMERO (G – age 23) Alkmaar Z (NED)
23. Javier PASTORE (M – age 21) Palermo (ITA)
Argentina are one of the favourites to win the Cup. They have a superb attack, led by the mercurial Lionel Messi of Barcelona, expected to be a star of the forthcoming competition. Messi is arguably the best footballer in the world at present and has the potential to win matches single handedly – a rare ability these days. Messi will be well supported in attack by Carlos Tevez, who has enjoyed a splendid season with Manchester City, and Diego Milito of Inter Milan, who played a leading role for his club in winning a treble, including the European Champions’ League. Gonzalo Higuain of Real Madrid is more than an able cover for the other strikers.
The Argentine midfield is also very strong on paper, led by the squad captain Javier Mascherano of Liverpool. His club-mate Maxi Rodriguez is expected to play a leading role too, along with Manuel Bolatti of Fiorentina. Maradona has recalled the veteran Juan Veron to add experience to the squad – he will be playing in his 3rd World Cup, after missing the last edition.
It is in defence that Argentina appear somewhat shaky. To shore the defence, Maradona has recalled Walter Samuel of Inter Milan, who had also missed the 2006 Cup. The highly experienced Gabriel Heinze is also there, along with Martin Demichelis of Bayern and Nicolas Burdisso of Roma to lend solidity to the defence.
The real weakness for Argentina could be in goal, where all three goalkeepers lack international experience. However, Argentine supporters are hoping that the attacking fire-power coupled with a strong and creative midfield will adequately make up for any defensive weakness.
2010 – qualified on Nov-18, 2009; 28th team to qualify.
Head Coach: Otto REHHAGEL (GER – age 71)
01. Kostas CHALKIAS (G – age 36) PAOK Salonika (GRE)
02. Giourkas SEITARIDIS (D – age 29) Panathinaikos (GRE)
03. Christos PATSATZOGLOU (D – age 31) Omonia (CYP)
04. Nikos SPIROPOULOS (D – age 26) Panathinaikos (GRE)
05. Vangelis MORAS (D – age 28) Bologna (ITA)
06. Alexandros TZIOLIS (M – age 25) Siena (ITA)
07. Georgios SAMARAS (F – age 25) Glasgow Celtic (SCO)
08. Avraam PAPADOPOULOS (D – age 26) Olympiakos (GRE)
09. Angelos CHARISTEAS (F – age 30) Nuremburg (GER)
10. Georgios KARAGOUNIS (M – age 33) Panathinaikos (GRE) (C)
11. Loukas VYNTRA (D – age 29) Panathinaikos (GRE)
12. Alexandros TZORVAS (G – age 27) Panathinaikos (GRE)
13. Michalis SIFAKIS (G – age 25) Aris Salonika (GRE)
14. Dimitris SALPIGIDIS (F – age 28) Panathinaikos (GRE)
15. Vasilis TOROSIDIS (D – age 25) Olympiakos (GRE)
16. Sotirios KYRGIAKOS (D – age 30) Liverpool (ENG)
17. Theofanis GEKAS (F – age 30) Hertha Berlin (GER)
18. Sotiris NINIS (M – age 20) Panathinaikos (GRE)
19. Sokratis PAPASTATHOPOULOS (D – age 22) Genoa (ITA)
20. Pantelis KAPETANOS (F – age 27) Steaua Bucharest (ROM)
21. Kostas KATSOURANIS (M – age 31) Panathinaikos (GRE)
22. Stelios MALEZAS (D – age 25) PAOK Salonika (GRE)
23. Sakis PRITTAS (M – age 31) Aris Salonika (GRE)
Greece showed great character and flair to qualify from Europe after a play-off with fancied Ukraine. This strength in character, honed by their shrewd and canny coach Otto Rehhagel, is giving much hope to Greek supporters.
The Greek attack shall be led by their two experienced German based strikers, Angelos Charisteas of Nuremburg and Theofanis Gekas of Hertha Berlin. They are likely to be assisted in offence by Georgios Samaras of Celtic.
The Greek midfield general is their captain Georgios Karagounis of Panathinaikos, who is regarded as one of the best midfielders in Europe. Alexandros Tziolis of Siena is another midfielder to watch.
The Greek defence is well organised, led by the solid Sotirios Kyrgiakos of Liverpool. Vangelis Moras of Bologna and the Australian born Avraam Papadopoulos add strength and confidence to the defence. In goal Kostas Chalkias is regarded as a safe and confident keeper.
Previous World Cups: 1994 – PQF, 1998 – PQF, 2002 – R1.
2010 – qualified on Nov-14, 2009 – 26th team to qualify.
Head Coach: Lars LAGERBACK (SWE – age 61)
01. Vincent ENYEAMA (G – age 27) Hapoel Tel Aviv (ISR) (02)
02. Joseph YOBO (D – age 29) Everton (ENG) (02)
03. Taye TAIWO (D – age 25) Marseille (FRA)
04. Nwankwo KANU (F – age 33) Portsmouth (ENG) (C) (98) (02)
05. Rabiu AFOLABI (D – age 30) Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) (02)
06. Danny SHITTU (D – age 29) Bolton Wanderers (ENG)
07. Chinedu OBASI OGBUKE (F – age 24) Hoffenheim (GER)
08. Yakubu AIYEGBENI (F – age 27) Everton (ENG)
09. Obafemi MARTINS (F – age 25) Wolfsburg (GER)
10. Ideye BROWN (F – age 21) Sochaux (FRA)
11. Peter ODEMWINGIE (F – age 28) Lokomotiv Moscow (RUS)
12. Kalu UCHE (M – age 27) Almeria (ESP)
13. Ayila YUSSUF (M – age 25) Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)
14. Sani KAITA (M – age 24) Alania Vladikavkaz (RUS)
15. Dele ADELEYE (D – age 21) Sparta Rotterdam (NED)
16. Austin EJIDE (G – age 26) Hapoel Petah Tikva (ISR) (02)
17. Chidi ODIAH (D – age 26) CSKA Moscow (RUS)
18. Victor OBINNA (F – age 23) Malaga (ESP)
19. Lukman HARUNA (M – age 20) Monaco (FRA)
20. Dickson ETUHU (M – age 28) Fulham (ENG)
21. Uwa ECHIEJILE (D – age 22) Rennes (FRA)
22. John UTAKA (M – age 28) Portsmouth (ENG) (02)
23. Dele AIYENUGBA (G – age 26) Bnei Yehuda (ISR)
Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback of Sweden is hoping to combine a wide bunch of immensely talented footballers into a team that will play for each other as a unit. If he can achieve that, Nigeria could well emerge as the dark horses of the 2010 World Cup.
In attack, Nigeria has strong and forceful strikers like Obafemi Martins of Wolfsburg and Yakubu Aiyegbeni of Everton. The talismanic captain Nwankwo Kanu of Portsmouth has been included to lend experience and height to the attack – he will be playing in his 3rd Cup, after 1998 and 2002. Peter Odemwingie of Lokomotiv Moscow is another splendid striker, while young Chinedu Obasi of Hoffenheim could deliver if selected to play.
The kingpin of the Nigerian midfield, John Obi Mikel of Chelsea, is now sadly out of the finals owing to injury. In his absence, John Utaka of Portsmouth and Dickson Etuhu of Fulham will have to marshal the Nigerian midfield. Kalu Uche of Almeria and Ayila Yussuf of Dynamo Kyiv are others to watch.
The defence will be led by Joseph Yobo of Everton and Rabiu Afolabi of Salzburg. Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama of Hapoel Tel Aviv is regarded as one of the best in Africa.
All in all, Nigeria has the ability to cause problems to any team on their day. Their opponents shall be well advised not to take them lightly.
Previous World Cups: 1954 – R1, 1986 – R1, 1990 – R1, 1994 – R1, 1998 – R1, 2002 (hosts) – SF (4th), 2006 – R1.
2010 – qualified on Jun-06, 2009; 4th team to qualify.
Head Coach: HUH Jung-Moo (KOR – age 55)
01. LEE Woon Jae (G – age 37) Suwon Bluewings (KOR) (94) (02) (06)
07. PARK Ji Sung (M – age 29) Manchester United (ENG) (C) (02) (06)
South Korea are expected to be the weakest team in Group B. However, they are certain to play disciplined football at full pace, as ever, and they have a few players of flair and experience to cause an upset or two.
Their captain and midfield general Park Ji Sung of Manchester United is one of their most well known players. Lending him support in midfield shall be the young Celtic player Ki Sung Yong and the highly experienced Kim Nam Il of Tom Tomsk. Lee Chung Yong of Bolton is another talented young midfielder.
Up front is the talented veteran Ahn Jung Hwan of Dalian, along with the Monaco star Park Chu Young. Lee Seung Ryul is seen as a future star by many Korean and may shine if given the opportunity.
The defence is well marshalled by Cha Du Ri of Freiburg, along with the former Tottenham player Lee Young Pyo, who now plays for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Japan based Lee Jung Soo is another experienced Defender.
In goal it will be interesting to see if Lee Woon Jae gets to play – this is his 4th World Cup – he played one game in the 1994 World Cup!GROUP B
Teams: ARGENTINA (7), GREECE (13), NIGERIA (21), SOUTH KOREA (47)
Argentina are expected to win this group without much trouble. Greece and Nigeria are likely to fight for second place. Though South Korea will always try hard, few experts outside Korea are giving them much chance to go through. Nigeria will probably enjoy playing in Africa and create a flutter in this group.
Previous World Cups: 1930 – runners’ up, 1934 – R1, 1958 – R1, 1962 – R1, 1966 – QF, 1974 – QF, 1978 (hosts) – Winners, 1982 – PQF, 1986 – Winners, 1990 – runners’ up, 1994 – PQF, 1998 – QF, 2002 – R1, 2006 – QF.
2010 – qualified on Oct-14, 2009; 22nd team to qualify.
Head Coach: Diego MARADONA (ARG – age 49)
01. Diego POZO (G – age 32) Colon (ARG)
02. Martin DEMICHELIS (D – age 29) Bayern Munich (GER)
03. Clemente RODRIGUEZ (D – age 28) Estudiantes (ARG)
04. Nicolas BURDISSO (D – age 29) Roma (ITA) (06)
05. Mario BOLATTI (M – age 25) Fiorentina (ITA)
06. Gabriel HEINZE (D – age 32) Marseille (FRA) (06)
07. Angel DI MARIA (M – age 22) Benfica (POR)
08. Juan Sebastian VERON (M – age 35) Estudiantes (ARG) (98) (02)
09. Gonzalo HIGUAIN (F – age 22) Real Madrid (ESP)
10. Lionel MESSI (F – age 23) Barcelona (ESP) (06)
11. Carlos TEVEZ (F – age 26) Manchester City (ENG) (06)
12. Ariel GARCE (D – age 30) Colon (ARG)
13. Walter SAMUEL (D – age 32) Inter Milan (ITA) (02)
14. Javier MASCHERANO (M – age 25) Liverpool (ENG) (C) (06)
15. Nicolas OTAMENDI (D – age 22) Velez Sarsfield (ARG)
16. Sergio AGUERO (F – age 22) Atletico Madrid (ESP)
17. Jonas GUTIERREZ (M – age 26) Newcastle United (ENG)
18. Martin PALERMO(F – age 36) Boca Juniors (ARG)
19. Diego MILITO (F – age 31) Inter Milan (ITA)
20. Maxi RODRIGUEZ (M – age 29) Liverpool (ENG) (06)
21. Mariano ANDUJAR (G – age 26) Catania (ITA)
22. Sergio ROMERO (G – age 23) Alkmaar Z (NED)
23. Javier PASTORE (M – age 21) Palermo (ITA)
Argentina are one of the favourites to win the Cup. They have a superb attack, led by the mercurial Lionel Messi of Barcelona, expected to be a star of the forthcoming competition. Messi is arguably the best footballer in the world at present and has the potential to win matches single handedly – a rare ability these days. Messi will be well supported in attack by Carlos Tevez, who has enjoyed a splendid season with Manchester City, and Diego Milito of Inter Milan, who played a leading role for his club in winning a treble, including the European Champions’ League. Gonzalo Higuain of Real Madrid is more than an able cover for the other strikers.
The Argentine midfield is also very strong on paper, led by the squad captain Javier Mascherano of Liverpool. His club-mate Maxi Rodriguez is expected to play a leading role too, along with Manuel Bolatti of Fiorentina. Maradona has recalled the veteran Juan Veron to add experience to the squad – he will be playing in his 3rd World Cup, after missing the last edition.
It is in defence that Argentina appear somewhat shaky. To shore the defence, Maradona has recalled Walter Samuel of Inter Milan, who had also missed the 2006 Cup. The highly experienced Gabriel Heinze is also there, along with Martin Demichelis of Bayern and Nicolas Burdisso of Roma to lend solidity to the defence.
The real weakness for Argentina could be in goal, where all three goalkeepers lack international experience. However, Argentine supporters are hoping that the attacking fire-power coupled with a strong and creative midfield will adequately make up for any defensive weakness.
2010 – qualified on Nov-18, 2009; 28th team to qualify.
Head Coach: Otto REHHAGEL (GER – age 71)
01. Kostas CHALKIAS (G – age 36) PAOK Salonika (GRE)
02. Giourkas SEITARIDIS (D – age 29) Panathinaikos (GRE)
03. Christos PATSATZOGLOU (D – age 31) Omonia (CYP)
04. Nikos SPIROPOULOS (D – age 26) Panathinaikos (GRE)
05. Vangelis MORAS (D – age 28) Bologna (ITA)
06. Alexandros TZIOLIS (M – age 25) Siena (ITA)
07. Georgios SAMARAS (F – age 25) Glasgow Celtic (SCO)
08. Avraam PAPADOPOULOS (D – age 26) Olympiakos (GRE)
09. Angelos CHARISTEAS (F – age 30) Nuremburg (GER)
10. Georgios KARAGOUNIS (M – age 33) Panathinaikos (GRE) (C)
11. Loukas VYNTRA (D – age 29) Panathinaikos (GRE)
12. Alexandros TZORVAS (G – age 27) Panathinaikos (GRE)
13. Michalis SIFAKIS (G – age 25) Aris Salonika (GRE)
14. Dimitris SALPIGIDIS (F – age 28) Panathinaikos (GRE)
15. Vasilis TOROSIDIS (D – age 25) Olympiakos (GRE)
16. Sotirios KYRGIAKOS (D – age 30) Liverpool (ENG)
17. Theofanis GEKAS (F – age 30) Hertha Berlin (GER)
18. Sotiris NINIS (M – age 20) Panathinaikos (GRE)
19. Sokratis PAPASTATHOPOULOS (D – age 22) Genoa (ITA)
20. Pantelis KAPETANOS (F – age 27) Steaua Bucharest (ROM)
21. Kostas KATSOURANIS (M – age 31) Panathinaikos (GRE)
22. Stelios MALEZAS (D – age 25) PAOK Salonika (GRE)
23. Sakis PRITTAS (M – age 31) Aris Salonika (GRE)
Greece showed great character and flair to qualify from Europe after a play-off with fancied Ukraine. This strength in character, honed by their shrewd and canny coach Otto Rehhagel, is giving much hope to Greek supporters.
The Greek attack shall be led by their two experienced German based strikers, Angelos Charisteas of Nuremburg and Theofanis Gekas of Hertha Berlin. They are likely to be assisted in offence by Georgios Samaras of Celtic.
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